Six reasons Pakistan will pose a real challenge for Australian Test team

Pakistan celebrate their win over England at The Oval in Ausgust 2016.Source: Supplied

AFTER being humbled by South Africa, the Australian Test team will be looking to bounce back against Pakistan.

Here’s six reasons it might not happen:

THE VETERANS

Pakistan's captain Misbah-ul-Haq is in top form.Source: AFP

At 42 and 39, captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan should be long retired. But their recent Test records say otherwise. Khan has scored 1352 runs at 50.07 over the past two years, while Misbah is not far behind with 1139 at 43.80. Khan in particular has no concerns against Australia, averaging 56.66.

THE UNSCARRED

Pakistani batsman Azhar Ali celebrates after scoring triple hundred (300 runs) against the West Indies at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.Source: AFP

The remainder of Pakistan’s batsmen have never lost a Test series to the Aussies — and while they might arrive as unknowns to the Australian public, it’s unlikely to stay that way. Opener Azhar Ali has averaged 55 since the start of last year, and smashed an unbeaten 302 against the West Indies in a day-night Test in October. His partner Sami Aslam and No. 3 Babar Azam are both going at above 40 this year, while Asad Shafiq hasn’t had the best 2016 but struck 706 at 54.3 last year.

YASIR SHAH

Yasir Shah.Source: Getty Images

Potentially the closest thing to Shane Warne since the Australian legspinner retired a decade ago. Has taken 116 wickets in his first 20 Tests, including eight five-wickets hauls. Also took a 10-wicket haul at Lords last winter to show that he’s not just a one-trick pony on the dry wickets of the subcontinent.

MOHAMMAD AMIR

Pakistani bowler Mohammad Amir.Source: AFP

Pakistan haven’t had a bowler like him since Wasim Akram retired in 2002. Has captured 25 wickets in eight Tests since his return from a five- year ban for spot fixing, and is still bowling with the same pace and swing from back in 2010. The 25-year-old could be particularly dangerous in the humid day- night Test at the Gabba, as well as the traditionally more bowler-friendly conditions in Melbourne.

AWAY FROM HOME

Pakistan celebrates their win over Australia in 2014.Source: Supplied

No team from the subcontinent has beaten Australia in Australia for almost nine years, let alone ever taken a series off the home side. But this Pakistan team hasn’t actually played at home in seven years. They took two wins off England on their own turf this year. Their 2-0 defeat to New Zealand last month was their first away series loss in two years.

THE BIG SCALPS

Pakistan celebrate their win over England at The Oval in Ausgust 2016.Source: Supplied

Pakistan seemingly aren’t afraid of anyone. They beat Australia 2-0 in their last visit to the UAE in 2014, and also defeated them in a Test in England four years earlier. They’ve also beaten England in four of the seven Tests they’ve played in the past two years, beat Sri Lanka 2-1 away from the UAE in 2015 and drew 1-1 with South Africa in their last meeting three years back.